Act 3, Chapter 14 Summary

Nighttime Martirio is beautiful from above Keeter's, except the dark northern edge where Vernon lives. Destroying Lally's cassette, Vernon feels Mom's emotional tug but turns his face towards Mexico, probably forever. He reaches the highway by midnight, but is not sure which way is south. With "Wichita Lineman" in his head, he walks an hour enjoying the moonlit beauty without trying to hitchhike. He grows chilly, resting until 5 AM, when he hears a motor coach approaching. The driver objects to picking him up between established stops, but gives in, because Vernon is stuck. He shuffles to the rear, forgetting to check for cowgirls but half-expecting Fate to make Lally or Ella's mom appear. Vernon dozes and his senses flood with Taylor and dreams of them having sex, and suddenly awakens seeing Jesus and Nuckles, and weeping for all the fallen. He...